Heading to the Afterlife Bar

## Chapter 9 9. Heading to the Afterlife bar

"Well, I got kicked out, unsurprisingly."

On his second day after transmigrating, Karl woke up in a hotel in Watson District and received a call from Oliver, who had returned to Santo Domingo the previous night.

"What's the story?"

Karl splashed water on his face, looking at his young reflection in the mirror as he replied.

"What else could it be? I guess I can't go back to Santo Domingo anymore. I've been kicked out. I'll be in Watson District soon. Let's meet at the restaurant outside the hotel. Order first, I want a steak, ten Eurodollars."

"You really know how to eat."

Without a toothbrush or toothpaste, Karl stuck his finger in his mouth, rubbed it around with some water, rinsed, and decided he definitely needed to rent a proper apartment in the future. This hotel was just not cutting it.

He walked out of the room. Since the room had already been paid for the previous night, Karl walked across the street to the restaurant directly opposite the hotel. He was almost hit by a wobbly car while crossing the road, but Karl's mental fortitude was strong, and he didn't pull out his gun to give the driver a few rounds of tranquilizer bullets.

This wasn't Gotham, after all. No need to be so conservative.

He ordered a steak for Oliver and a portion of Chinese Cold Noodles for himself. Karl felt like he might adapt to eating bug meat faster than becoming a mercenary. Before the food arrived, he bought himself a drink.

The Little Coco Cola he had yesterday made Karl's teeth feel rough, so he switched to a different cola today. This one was called Sirius Classic Cola, and from the packaging, it had a strong American vibe. The red and white striped packaging, plus the blue background with stars, was overly freedom-loving and patriotic.

Then, after one sip, Karl's eyes lit up. He had to admit that Sirius Cola was better than Little Coco Cola. As expected, in America, you have to drink American cola.

"Oh, you're drinking Sirius Cola. I like that too."

Oliver had arrived while Karl was savoring the cola. He naturally sat next to Karl and bought a bottle of Sirius Cola from the vending machine next to the table. As he drank, he said, "There's a strange saying in our Sixth Street Gang, that Sirius Cola is the patriotic cola, and drinking other colas is bad luck. Even if you don't drink Sirius Cola, you have to hold other drinks and salute it when you pass by."

"What an American-among-Americans drink."

Karl scoffed, feeling that Sirius Cola's patriotic marketing was really successful. But he remembered that Night City was an independent city, not under any government's control, so why so patriotic? Oh, the Sixth Street Gang was founded by American veterans. Never mind, then.

"What's the plan for today? Did you get a lead on a fixer?"

"Nope."

Oliver shrugged naturally, but still offered a suggestion: "But Dad said, if you're going to do something, do it right, don't always quit halfway. He gave me a suggestion, saying I could check out the Afterlife bar in Heywood. People often recruit people to work there. Maybe we can pick up a job."

Heywood: Heywood is a district with a clear gap between rich and poor, the northern park buildings and the southern slums are very different, but its unique and clear charm can always attract you.

NCPD Danger Level Assessment: Partially Dangerous.

Along with this information, information about the gangs in Heywood flashed through his mind.

Valentinos gang: They control areas dominated by Latinos, adhering to values such as honor, justice, and brotherhood, and will pay any price to defend them. Valentinos gang's friendship is priceless and will follow you to the grave. Think carefully before getting involved with them.

The food arrived.

"I remember the Valentinos gang doesn't get along with the Sixth Street Gang, is it okay for you to go to Valentinos gang's territory with me?"

"What could be the problem? Chew, chew. Anyway, I'm not in the Sixth Street Gang anymore. And privately, many people in our Sixth Street Gang have good relationships with people in the Valentinos gang. It's just for show. Chew, chew. This steak is really good. Juicy and the meat is great."

Watching Oliver talk while chewing, steak juice splattering from his mouth, Karl instinctively leaned back. He had to say, watching Oliver chew steak and juice spurt out gave him the feeling of biting into a bug and having it burst. Overall, the hallucination was quite stimulating.

"If it's okay, let's go after we finish eating. How do we get there, take the subway?"

Karl remembered seeing information that Night City had a subway.

"No need to be so troublesome. I drove here this time. All my belongings are in it."

Oliver said, pointing with his fork at a black car parked outside the restaurant window.

"Quartz EC-L R275, my sister gave it to me for my twentieth birthday. Affordable, sturdy, and durable. You can ride with me later. I know some of the roads in Heywood."

After speaking, the talkative Oliver added, "This is a two-seater, and I've only let my ex-girlfriend ride in it before. You're the first of the same sex."

"Well, I should thank you then."

Not knowing much about cars of this era, and not wanting to complain, Karl quickly finished his portion of cold noodles. He felt like he was getting tired of it. The noodles were indeed delicious because of the wheat, but he had eaten it three times in a row, including last night's meal, and he didn't really want to eat it anymore.

"Oh, speaking of thanks, you might actually have to thank me."

Oliver heard Karl's words and suddenly remembered something, saying, "I put two Nokota D 5 Copperhead kinetic assault rifles in the trunk of the car, ensuring that we have enough guns to handle the mission when we need a firefight."

Nokota D 5 Copperhead: If the most popular assault rifle of the twentieth century was the AK-47, then the Copperhead is the one of today's world. The reliable, powerful, and inexpensive weapon from Nokota Manufacturing is the most trustworthy support around you.

Assault rifles, huh?

"I might not even be able to control the recoil of an assault rifle."

"Then just lift it over your head and shoot randomly."

Oliver ate the last bite of steak.

"What do you say, KK? Let's go?"

"Of course, let's go, Oliver."